EPA: Crumb Rubber Not A Health Risk

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has posted a statement on the Scrap Tire page of its website summarizing the Agency’s findings that it has found no evidence in field monitoring data collected to date by EPA and others of an elevated health risk resulting from the use of recycled tire crumb in playgrounds or synthetic turf athletic fields.

The full text of EPA’s position statement on the potential health risk from crumb rubber in playgounds or athletic turf fields follows:

“In response to concerns about potential risks resulting from the use of recycled tire crumb in playgrounds and in conjunction with synthetic turf athletic fields, EPA conducted a Scoping-Level Field Monitoring Study of Synthetic Turf Fields and Playgrounds. The final report was issued in 2009 and concluded that on average, concentrations of components monitored in this study were below levels of concern.

To supplement this study’s limited data, EPA met with state and local representatives in 2010 to review other available field monitoring studies including a recent study conducted by the state of Connecticut which concluded that exposures and risks were not elevated (relative to what is commonly found in outdoor air) for either children and adults using the fields.

According to a recent California report that looks into the possible human health risks of outdoor athletic fields made from artificial turf containing recycled crumb rubber with respect to skin abrasions, bacteria harbored by the turf,inhalable particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds, it was concluded these fields do not pose a serious public health concern, with the possible exception of an increased skin abrasion rate on artificial turf relative to natural turf.

At this point in time, we do not believe that the field monitoring data collected to date by EPA and others provides evidence of an elevated health risk resulting from the use of tire mulch in playgrounds or synthetic turf athletic fields. Ultimately, the use of tire crumb or any other playground materials is a local or state decision.”

In addition to the position statement on crumb rubber, EPA’s website features a similar statement of the Agency’s findings on tire derived fuel.

Users can also find a wealth of information on scrap tire markets, regulations and a general overview of scrap tire management in the US today. A section of the site is devoted to the Scrap Tire Workgroup. It presents the goals, mission and initiatives this broad-based industry/government group has undertaken to further growth in scrap tire recycling and markets in the US.

Publications referenced in EPA’s crumb rubber position statement can be found at:www.epa.gov/nerl/features/tire_crumbs.html
www.ct.gov/dep/artificialturf
www.calrecycle.ca.gov

© Scrap Tire News, March 2012